Bowman bridges gap as Avdulla suspended

Another Hugh Bowman treble has ratcheted up the pressure on Sydney jockey’s premiership leader Brenton Avdulla who endured the added frustration of being suspended for careless riding at Canterbury.

After pleading guilty to causing interference to Tye Angland’s mount Volante in the fourth race on Wednesday aboard Chatuchak, Avdulla, who is now 3-1/2 wins ahead, was philosophical.

“I’ve given Hugh two free hits,” Avdulla said.

His penalty means Avdulla will miss two metropolitan meetings.

He begins his suspension on Sunday and can resume on July 17 after which there will be four city meetings left this season.

Bowman matched the treble he recorded at Rosehill last Saturday, but Avdulla at least had the satisfaction of claiming the final race on the program aboard Torpenhow ($16), to give Darren Beadman his last city winner as Godolphin’s interim head trainer.

“It’s been a pretty dirty day, but at least we got a winner. The goal for the season was always to run top three so I’ve got that down pat,” Avdulla said.

Bowman opened his book of rides in style by saluting aboard first time winner Calculated.

He brought the $1.70 favourite, a son of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think, home in a 2YO Maiden a head clear of Brave Song ($17).

Bowman then guided the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly Cudabeen ($5.50) to victory in a Benchmark Handicap (1100m) by half-a-length from Vienna Romance ($6.50).

“Her concentration wavered and the horse got out of its gait. It did concern me a bit, but she refocused quickly,” Bowman said.

Bowman swiftly engineered a double for the Snowden duo when he produced a trademark ride to get $2.05 favourite Steyne up in the nick of time in a Benchmark Handicap (1580m).

The four-year-old, who had not raced between his debut in July 2015 and January this year because of a tendon injury, is unbeaten in this preparation after winning second-up by a short head from Live The Dream ($5).

But Bowman had some anxious moments.

“I thought ‘I’ve got enough to get close but am I going to get past?’ He’s a very consistent horse and he got the job done,” he said.

Josh Parr also had a successful meeting by recording his own treble with Long Time Ago, maiden winner Tennessee Tango and Life O’Brien.